Literacy and the Arts

This month my focus has been on the parallels between music and literacy. However, music is not the only art that can be integrated with literacy. Drama, movement and visual art can as well.

Think about the elements of a story. Each of these art forms tells a story. In theatre, a story comes alive, complete with props, scenes, costumes and actors. Movement and dance can also tell a story. The story can be as simple as an individual moving through the growth of a plant from seed to flower or as complex as a dance that tells the story of a girl’s search for love. (I love watching the various stories that come from the dancers on Dancing with the Stars!) Visual art is no different. Many paintings, drawings and sculptures tell a story. You just have to search for the details that make the story come to life.

All the arts assist students in their learning and practice of visualization, questioning, predicting, cause and effect, and drawing conclusions. In my ebook Integration the Works of Norman Rockwell into Reading Instruction, I explore many ways to use the fabulous works of American painter Norman Rockwell to help students achieve a better understanding of these and other literacy skills.

There are so many parallels and applications that the arts have for us in our teaching. In what ways do you use the arts to help you teach literacy?

Celebrate Music and Literacy! This is the LAST DAY to take advantage of Elizabeth’s book Inspired by Listening, a teacher resource book for integrating musical listening experiences into the classroom. The book is on sale this month only (March 2011) at 20% off!